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In this multi-part limited series for Spotify, journalist and host Jason Cavanagh conducts a real-time investigation into the murders, crimes, and conspiracies involving hitman, Charles Harrelson, father to actor Woody Harrelson. The investigation will uncover new evidence never shared before, but seeking the truth comes at a risk. There may be people out there - serious, dangerous people - who have an interest in keeping Charles Harrelson’s secrets buried.
Jason Cavanagh is a veteran non-fiction producer with a passion for great, true stories. Over the past 15 years he's produced television shows about moonshiners, musicians, bikers, real housewives, scientists, teen moms, comedians, law enforcement and criminals. Son of a Hitman is Cavanagh's first foray into narrative podcasting. He brings his documentary and interviewing skills to uncover answers on a case over 40 years old. Cavanagh is a native New Yorker, but currently resides in sunny California. As far as he knows, his father is not a hitman.
Son of a Hitman: In this multi-part limited series, host Jason Cavanagh conducts a real-time investigation into the murders, crimes, and conspiracies of hitman, Charles Harrelson, father to actor Woody Harrelson. The investigation will uncover new evidence never shared before, but seeking the truth comes at a risk. There may be people out there - serious, dangerous people - who have an interest in keeping Charles Harrelson’s secrets buried.
In the summer of 2019 I was introduced to Brett Harrelson by a mutual friend. Brett told me the story of his father, what he knew of him anyway, and I was immediately drawn in. I began reading everything I could find about this enigmatic and dangerous figure, Charles Voyde Harrelson. He seemed like a character straight out of a Cormac McCarthy novel – a charming, extremely intelligent conman, with a nihilistic propensity to violence. With the help of a private investigation firm, I began tracking down people from Charles’ past who could help fill in some of the blanks. In September, I headed to Texas, to make a several week, solo road-trip across the state, beginning in Dallas, then on to Lovelady, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and ending in El Paso. I met with drug smugglers, prosecutors, judges, witnesses and victims' families, to see what I could uncover about the hitman, Charles V. Harrelson. This podcast documents that journey.
Jason Cavanagh, April 2020